Although this condition is often colloquially referred to as a stroke in dogs due to its similar symptoms, it is not a circulatory disorder of the brain as in humans, but rather a disorder of the balance organ located in the inner ear of dogs.
Vestibular syndrome can have many causes. Based on the underlying disease, two forms of balance disorder are generally distinguished: central and peripheral vestibular syndrome.
Central vestibular syndrome can be caused by infections such as distemper or toxoplasmosis, inflammatory changes in the brain, or damage to the brain stem and central nervous system. It is much less common than peripheral vestibular syndrome, which is caused by disorders in the balance organ of the inner ear.
The balance organ, known as the vestibular apparatus, is located in the right and left inner ear of dogs. This complex system ensures that the brain receives information about the position of the body in space in order to control movement and coordination. If the transmission of this information is disrupted, the animal loses its balance and coordination. The exact cause of this disorder of the balance organ is still not fully understood. It is suspected that inner and middle ear infections, autoimmune diseases, or severe circulatory disorders lead to a malfunction of the vestibular apparatus. In rare cases, an underactive thyroid can also trigger vestibular syndrome. Due to the still unclear cause, this form is also known as idiopathic vestibular syndrome. As it mainly affects older dogs, the term geriatric vestibular syndrome is also used synonymously.
Puppies can also develop congenital vestibular syndrome. This is a rare hereditary disease in which the balance organ has not developed properly, leading to head tilt and coordination problems. The symptoms usually appear in the first month of life and are often accompanied by deafness in one or both ears. Again, there is no specific treatment available, but the symptoms often improve in the second month of life as the body compensates for the dysfunction through other senses.
The signs of vestibular syndrome often appear very suddenly, resemble those of a stroke in humans, and are therefore usually very frightening for you as a pet owner. Affected animals simply fall over from one moment to the next or stagger, sway, and have poor coordination. The head is held at a distinct angle and the eyeballs move jerkily back and forth (nystagmus). The animals have difficulty orienting themselves and experience dizzy spells that lead to nausea and vomiting. They refuse to eat. In milder cases, eating behavior is usually unaffected and the animals show only slight disturbances in their gait.
Even though the exact causes of the disease remain unclear, it is always advisable to consult a veterinarian, as the symptoms described may also indicate other serious underlying diseases.
The diagnosis can only be made by a veterinarian based on the clear symptoms. There is no specific test or specific laboratory values for vestibular syndrome. However, a blood count is often performed to rule out possible differential diagnoses (diseases with similar or identical symptoms). It is particularly important to rule out inner and middle ear infections, foreign bodies, tumors, and various infectious diseases such as distemper or toxoplasmosis. Certain medications can also have negative effects on the vestibular system.
Since the cause of the disorder cannot be identified in many cases, no specific treatment is possible. The focus is therefore primarily on effective symptomatic therapy to speed up recovery and minimize the possible consequences of vestibular syndrome. In severe cases, the animals are treated in the initial phase with medication to promote blood circulation and fluid replacement. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, medication for nausea and vomiting may be used. The owner needs to be patient and provide good care, as the animals recover in small steps.
The prognosis depends on whether the condition is central or peripheral vestibular syndrome. Since central vestibular syndrome is usually caused by a serious and often difficult-to-treat underlying condition, the prognosis is generally cautious.
Most cases of peripheral vestibular syndrome, especially the idiopathic form, heal spontaneously and completely within seven to 21 days without treatment. However, mild symptoms such as head tilt may persist in some dogs, but this does not significantly affect their quality of life. Physiotherapy can also help to significantly reduce these symptoms.
Most dogs with congenital vestibular syndrome can also lead a largely normal life, but they should be excluded from breeding. With special training methods, dogs with unilateral or bilateral deafness can also enjoy a species-appropriate life.
Elbow joint dysplasia describes a complex of hereditary developmental disorders of the elbow joint. It occurs primarily in fast-growing large dog breeds during the growth phase and leads to varying degrees of lameness.
Tumors of the oral cavity can occur in both dogs and cats. In dogs, about half of these tumors are malignant, while in cats, unfortunately, up to 90% are malignant. Due to the poor visibility of the oral cavity, these tumors are often detected at a very late stage.
Hip dysplasia, better known as HD, is a very common skeletal disorder in dogs. It is a hereditary malformation of the hip joint that occurs primarily in large breeds and affects up to half of all dogs of a breed.
If you are thinking about getting a rabbit as a pet, you should definitely research in advance how these animals like to live and what they need. Also ask yourself why you want a rabbit in the first place. These little hoppers should not be purchased purely as cuddly toys for the youngest animal lovers. Children in particular should learn from the outset that handling animals requires a certain amount of understanding and responsibility.
The horse's back is extremely important for its stability and movement. It also carries the weight of the rider. A healthy back is essential for your horse's well-being, long-term use, and performance.
It's not always easy to keep track of everything in our human world that could be harmful to our four-legged friends. Often, we don't even see how quickly Fido has stuck his head in the trash can and hurt himself by eating onion scraps. But it's not just food that poses a danger; the wrong toys can cause problems, as can drinking from a puddle at the edge of a field.
A cat's attempt to get outside through a tilted window can result in serious injury. In most cases, cats manage to squeeze their head and upper body through the window but then get stuck with their hindquarters in the slanted gap. Attempts to free them only make the situation worse, causing the cat to slide further down into the gap and become trapped. The consequences can include serious external and internal injuries, collectively known as tilt window syndrome, which can often lead to the death of the cat.
Vacation with your dog? For most animal lovers, that's a no-brainer. Vacationing with a cat, on the other hand, can be quite a risk. Cats are headstrong free spirits. Especially outdoor cats move around independently without humans in their familiar surroundings. Any change to their routine can be very unsettling for cats. Nevertheless, there are good reasons not to leave your beloved feline friend alone at home for too long. For example, if there is no one else who can take proper care of your cat and you want to go away for a longer period of time.
High blood pressure, medically known as hypertension, is not usually a separate disease in domestic cats, but is often the result of other general illnesses. Older cats in particular often suffer from a pathological increase in blood pressure, which can have serious consequences.
You will probably be alarmed when your cat suddenly starts limping. There can be many different causes. Keep an eye on your cat now.
Prevention is better than cure: with this in mind, we offer age-appropriate veterinary care plans for a healthy life for your dog – from birth to old age.
Do you like rabbits? Then it's best to get two or more, as these little hoppers feel very lonely on their own. Before you bring your rabbits home, you should make sure you have enough space for them.
